US airstrike kills at least 9 Afghan police

A US airstrike in Helmand province, Afghanistan killed at least nine security personnel.

A US airstrike in Helmand province. Photo: Nation.

Afghan forces were hit by an airstrike on July 21 while conducting an operation in the restive Gereshk district, according toWashington Post.This is where Afghan and US forces are fighting fiercely with the Taliban.

At least nine people have died and the toll could rise, said William Salvin, spokesman for NATO's Resolute Support program.Local media reported 17 deaths.

Hayatullah Hayat, the governor of Helmand province, said two national police commanders were among the dead and many bodies remained in the rubble, making it difficult to determine the exact number of casualties.

“Police recaptured a facility from the enemy and it was mistakenly attacked because the forces believed that the Taliban were still holding out there after they took it over on July 20,” Hayat said. He said 70 Taliban militants were killed in the attack.

The US military will investigate to find out the specific circumstances leading to the incident.

According to VNE